Life is full of decisions: what to wear, what to eat, where to work, where to live and where to worship. Some decisions seem to have complicated answers that require a lot of explanation. And yet, some of the most significant decisions of our lives really boil down to a yes or no:
Am I going to college?
Am I going to move for that job?
Am I going to take that trip?
Am I going to marry?
Am I going to accept Jesus as Savior and King?
At some point in my life, I have said “yes” to each of the above questions. Each one has changed my life. College, travel, living in other cities and marriage have all significantly impacted my worldview and understanding of what it means to be human.
And yet they all pale in comparison to the “yes” I gave to Jesus, not only to receive Him as Savior, but to turn to Him in worship and submission as my KING.
In Luke 1:26-37, Mary is given some of the most incredible news that any woman is ever given; she will become pregnant. However, this announcement comes not from a doctor, but from the angel Gabriel. Mary knew that as a still-engaged young woman that she faced skepticism, harassment, even the possibility of being stoned if what Gabriel told her was true. And yet, we read in Luke 1:38, “`I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”
Her “YES” allowed God’s perfect will to be done through her. Her act of obedience changed human history. It is one thing to remember Christ as our Savior and confess our need for atonement. It is something else to walk with a heart oriented toward Christ as our King, intent on seeking His will and responding with obedience.
Since this Advent season, what is the Holy Spirit prompting us to say “yes” to? Is there someone we need to help? Is there a cause that needs a God-honoring voice? Is He calling us deeper into prayer? Or perhaps even further, to reach out more with a generous spirit that goes far beyond this Christmas season?
When we say “yes” to God, we bring our hearts and wills into submission and alignment with the Divine Power of the Holy Spirit to act in our daily lives and bring about the purposes of God.
Let us honor Christ as our King. Let us be a people of the “Yes”.
Christina Starnes
